Asad Rehman took two wickets in an over, but Waghela quickly dented the 17-year-old spinner’s confidence by hitting him for two sixes and a four in his next over.

Waghela was now in full flow and was receiving good support at the other end from Sukhi Kang.

Waghela brought up his century and secured victory in the 34th over with two successive sixes.

He finished with five sixes and eight fours, having faced 105 balls in all.

Kang remained unbeaten on 33.

Skipper Hartley said: “It was another excellent innings by Praful and an important one from Sukhi as well.

“One of our problems last season was that we didn’t have too many big partnerships, so it was very pleasing to see them put on more than 100 for the fifth wicket.

“It was a very good win, but it is still early season and I am sure there will be more to come from this side.”

Reading are at home to Shipton-under-Wychwood, another of the league’s newcomers, on Saturday.

Reading, fielding a much weakened team, were knocked out of the national clubs championship by Teddington on Sunday. They were bowled out for 84 and the visitors, recovering from 10-2, easily won by eight wickets